Hasina, Khaleda given 7 days for wealth reportThe Anti-corruption Commission (ACC) yesterday served notices on former prime ministers Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina to submit their wealth statements as part of its initiative to find out whether there

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AL faces leadership crisis again after 26 yearsThe Awami League (AL) braces itself for a leadership crisis again after 26 years as the party's deeply divided big guns vie to establish supremacy in absence of Sheikh Hasina, now detained on extortion

Talks next month to restore air, sea linksDhaka and Colombo decided to meet as early as the next month to re-establish direct air and sea links, with Sri Lanka eyeing greater pharmaceuticals, cement, leather goods and food commodities importfrom

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Anxious wait in SL for Buddha's scared hairPeople of Sri Lanka are now eagerly waiting to receive Lord Buddha's scared hair relic which is to be taken to Colombo from Bangladesh tomorrow (Thursday) by a high-powered ministerial delegation ledby

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BNP reformists wait on Khaleda's fateThe pro-reform leaders of BNP are now observing the political situation and waiting to see what steps the government takes regarding BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia.

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Sircar might have to refund moneySpeaker Jamiruddin Sircar might have to refund around Tk 28 lakh that he had drawn as medical bill giving an undertaking unless higher authorities decide to adjust the money, former adviser to the caretaker

Protests pour in over arrest of HasinaDifferent organisations and eminent personalities yesterday strongly criticised the arrest of Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina terming it unwanted and unjust, and demanded her immediate release.

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Hasina takes physiotherapyDetained Awami League (AL) President Sheikh Hasina took physiotherapy in the special jail yesterday as she suffered back pain from the jostling while being taken out of the jam packed court on Monday.

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CEC plays down AL chief's arrestChief Election Commissioner (CEC) ATM Shamsul Huda yesterday said the arrest of Awami League President Sheikh Hasina should not hinder putting the election roadmap in place.

UK asks govt to ensure every assistance to HasinaBritish High Commissioner Anwar Choudhury yesterday said London has asked Dhaka to ensure that 'every assistance' is given to detained Awami League (AL) chief Sheikh Hasina within the legal process and

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AL activist dies hearing Hasina heldAn Awami League activist died of heart attack in Nasti village in Maheshkpur on Monday morning hearing the news of party chief Sheikh Hasina's arrest by the joint forces.

Cop, informant jailed over extortionA Dhaka court yesterday sentenced a Sub-Inspector (SI) and one of his informers to two years' rigorous imprisonment for demanding and taking extortion from a contractor in March this year.

3 manpower agents heldRapid Action Battalion (Rab) on Monday arrested three manpower agents in the city's Motijheel area on charges of cheating people in the name of sending them abroad.

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Case filed against 12 AL women for processionPolice filed a case against 12 activists of Jubo Mohila League (JML) and several other unnamed activists of AL front organisations for bringing out a procession in Old Dhaka on Monday violating the emergency

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UK orders expulsion of 4 Russian diplomatsPrime Minister Gordon Brown's new government ordered the expulsion of four Russian diplomats Monday over the Kremlin's refusal to extradite the key suspect in the fatal poisoning of a former KGB officer

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40 killed in Iraq violenceGunmen dressed in Iraqi military uniforms murdered 29 villagers overnight in the restive Diyala province northeast of Baghdad while 11 more people were killed in two suicide bombings yesterday.

Thai RMG makers fear losing marketThai textile and garment exporters, whose baht-denominated income is being steadily eroded by the strengthening baht, are facing another problem: financial institutions have toughened their attitude towards

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Brazil hopeful of WTO accord before US pollsBrazil Tuesday held out hope for an agreement on the Doha Round of talks to liberalise global commerce despite a deadlock hit last month among key members of the World Trade Organisation.

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DSE turnover hits new high at Tk239.54crTurnover on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) yesterday reached a new high at Tk 239.54 crore amid a continued rally of share prices. The previous highest turnover was Tk 234.44 crore on June 26.

Q- Cash, Brac Bank sign deal on ATM sharingBRAC Bank Limited and IT Consultants Limited (ITCL) Q-Cash have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish Omnibus, an association of member institutions which will provide shared ATM and POS network

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US, Malaysia FTA likely by June 2008The United States is aiming to seal a free trade agreement with Malaysia by June next year, a top official said Monday, after both nations missed a key deadline to fast-track the agreement.

Cricket:Mashrafe vows improvementIt is believed that Mashrafe Bin Mortaza appears as a completely different character once he enters inside the ropes.

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Football:Russel crush hapless RedsSheikh Russel scored thrice inside last 16 minutes to crush coach-less Muktijoddha 3-0 in the B. League at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.

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Cricket:Tigers play warm-up todayWith hopes of getting back the confidence, Bangladesh will play their only limited-over build-up match today against a Sri Lankan selection before they begin the three-match one-day series against the

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Football:No Fed Cup, second B.League next FebBangladesh Football Federation (BFF) in an emergency meeting on Monday night set a tentative date for the start of the second B. League in February 2008.

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Cricket:New coach 'baffles' greatsFormer Pakistan cricket greats Tuesday criticised the choice of Geoff Lawson as national coach, saying that if a foreigner had to take the job it should have been veteran Dav Whatmore.

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Cricket:India ponder optionsIndia's cricketers enjoyed a "rest" day today, warming down after their second tour game at Chelmsford, but one or two minds might have just been working overtime. Rahul Dravid and Co.

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Cricket:Dravid opens India NowA replica of Taj Mahal sailed down the river Thames here today in a rousing start to the three- month long festivities focussing on India's rich art, culture and lifestyle and aimed at cementing the British

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Football:Heat on for Iran, ChinaIran will seek to pile more misery on Malaysia while China will be wary of a banana skin in the form of Uzbekistan in Group C's judgement day on Wednesday.

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Football:Ono denies UnitedShinji Ono denied Manchester United victory in the first game of their Asian tour with a late equaliser to secure a 2-2 draw for Urawa Red Diamonds in Saitama on Tuesday.

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Football:'Follow Park's example'Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has refused to rule out adding more Asian stars to his Old Trafford squad -- if they follow the same route taken by South Korean midfielder Park Ji-Sung.

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Football:Gunners confident on WengerArsenal are confident that coach Arsene Wenger will stay at the Emirates Stadium with chairman Peter Hill-Wood revealing on Monday that talks over a new contract for the Frenchman have opened.

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Football:Toni worry for BayernBayern Munich striker Luca Toni is sidelined for the next ten days and the Italian World Cup winner's knee injury is a concern for coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, the club revealed on Tuesday.

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Football:Roma close in on GiulyRoma are on the verge of signing Barcelona's French forward Ludovic Giuly, according to Italian media reports on Tuesday.

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Football:Milan to make Eto'o offerEuropean champions AC Milan are to make a bid for Barcelona's Cameroon international striker Samuel Eto'o, Marca sports daily reported on Tuesday.

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Tennis:Rusty Keifer progressesGermany's Nicolas Kiefer, shaking off the rust from not playing hardcourt tennis for over a year, defeated Teimuraz Gabashvili 6-3, 6-3 in the first round of the Los Angeles ATP event on Monday.

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Football:Beckham trains aloneDavid Beckham suited up Monday but chose to work out alone during his first training session with the Los Angeles Galaxy as he rehabs a sore ankle.

Cricket:Players want CEO to goThe West Indies national team have called for the resignation of Bruce Aanensen, the WICB's chief executive who has been in office for less than three months, highlighting what seems an almost irreparable

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Cricket:No contract for InzyThe Pakistan Cricket Board edged Inzamam-ul-Haq further out of international cricket by not awarding the former captain a central contract.

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Cricket:Akhtar all for LawsonPakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar said Tuesday he was delighted by Geoff Lawson's appointment as national team coach, arguing only an Australian can help Pakistan to beat the world's number one team.

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Cricket:Women storm into finalBangladesh outplayed Hong Kong by 58 runs in the semifinal of the ACC women's cricket tournament at the PT Ibrahim Institute ground in Johor yesterday.

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Chess:Indian pair in leadSayantan Das and Shaati Mazumder took solo lead in the StanChart 9th National School Chess tournament at the federation conference room yesterday.

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Handball:Handball meet from tomorrowMadaripur take on Dhaka in the opening game of the Basic Bank 18th National Women's Handball Championship at the Handball Stadium yesterday.

Make recommendations to strengthen local govtsAn expert committee formed by the caretaker government to recommend measures for recasting country's local government system made a presentation on their activities in a meeting with Chief Adviser Fakhruddin

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Rab man, criminal shot during gunfightA member of the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and a suspected criminal were injured in a gunfight between the elite force and the gang members in the city on Monday night.

Ctg still a costly port in regionAlthough the efficiency of Chittagong Port has improved remarkably in recent time because of reduction in ship turnaround time to three and a half days from 11 days, it still remains as a costly portwith

Confectionery fined in CtgA mobile court in the port city yesterday fined a leading confectionery Tk 1 lakh for using substandard ghee and butter oil in its products.

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President meets Singaporean counterpartPresident Iajuddin Ahmed, now in Singapore for medical check-up, made a courtesy call on his Singaporean counterpart President Sellapan Ramanathan at his office yesterday.

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Think of alternatives to arrest: B ChyLiberal Democratic Party (LDP) President AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury yesterday said the government should think of alternatives to arrests while trying distinguished persons.

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Lightning kills 2 in C'nawabganjTwo persons were killed and two others injured seriously when a lightning struck them in Chapainawabganj Sadar upazila yesterday.

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DMC Computer Club executivesThe Computer Club of Dhaka Medical College, a voluntary IT organisation of medical students, has formed its 17-member executive committee for the session 2007-08 was formed.

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Death of ASMO Sobhan condoledBangladesh Centre of the International Theatre Institute yesterday expressed deep shock at the death of ASMO Sobhan, former managing director of Duncan Brothers Bangladesh Ltd, says a press release.

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National Career Fair July 20Career and Professional Development Services of North South University is going to organise the National Career Fair 2007 on July 20 at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the city, saysa

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Buet team leaves for Hanoi July 23Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet) will participate in the 'Robocon 2007, Hanoi' organised by the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union (AUB), says a press release.

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'Save Rajshahi Adivashi Palli'Adivashi leaders yesterday alleged that some local influential people are trying to evict them from their traditional Haripur Paharia Adivashi Palli under Poba upazila in Rajshahi.

Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital opens 2nd Cath LabThe second Cath Lab of Ibrahim Cardiac Hospital and Research Institute was formally inaugurated recently with a view to providing cost-effective and up-to-date cardiac treatment in the country.

A plight of Patuakhali unheeded for yearsPatuakhali town dwellers suffer for years as no steps taken yet to stop inundation of town areas during flood or high tide. Most areas go under 2-5 feet water and life remains paralysed for several hours.

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3 more bombs recovered in KushtiaPolice Monday night recovered three bombs from Mashaura village in Daulatpur upazila. A police team of Daulatpur police station raided the house of one Liyakat Ali at about 11.

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Madrasa student murdered in PabnaA madrasa student was chopped to death at Khoiran of Manikhat union in Shujanager upazila on Monday midnight. Police recovered the body from a sugarcane field of the village yesterday morning.

The road to renewalNewspapers these days make interesting reading. The major staple is politics. There are disclosures galore. The political faithful are cutting loose and doing penance by making reformist proposals.

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Rathajatra festival of JagannathThe Hindu festivals, fasts, rituals, pilgrimages, holy baths, and observance of sacred days are part and parcel of the great cultural heritage of Indian civilisation.

Riverine passages by boatOnce upon a time sailing boats on the rippling waters of the big rivers in the country were a common sight. In fact the scenic beauty of riverine Bangladesh put it on the world map.

Patients suffer as docs go on strikeAll healthcare services except for emergency cases came to a halt at Chittagong Maa Shishu O General Hospital in city's Agrabad area as the medical officers on contract at the hospital went on an indefinite

Confectionery fined in CtgA mobile court in the port city yesterday fined a leading confectionery Tk 1 lakh for using substandard ghee and butter oil in its products.

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Momo to exchange views with consumersLux Channel i superstar Momo will visit door to door to exchange views with the consumers in Barisal about the quality of the products of Unilever Bangladesh Limited.

'Pak govt considers emergency’The Pakistan government is mulling the option of imposing emergency in the country to deal with the violent backlash from militants after the bloody crackdown on the Lal Masjid, media reports said.

'Terror threat against US serious’The terrorist network al-Qaeda will likely leverage its contacts and capabilities in Iraq to mount an attack on US soil, according to a new National Intelligence Estimate on threats to the American homeland.

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Four soldiers killed in Lanka clashesFour Sri Lankan soldiers were killed and six others wounded in fighting with Tamil Tiger rebels in the north of the island, the guerrillas said Tuesday, claiming they lost one fighter in the battle.

Editorial:No one is above the lawThe statement of the Chief Advisor (CA) that no one is above the law is an affirmation of the incontrovertible truth. And by the same token we would like to suggest that neither is anyone below it.

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Editorial:Killings in PakistanThe spate of suicide killings that took place in Pakistan over the weekend shows the vulnerable position President Pervez Musharraf finds himself in today.

Drainage canalNatural canals and water bodies are similar to veins and tissues in our body. It keeps our land and water mass in balance.

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Dwindling playgroundsPlaygrounds were once known to be the heart of a school but at present we can hardly find any educational institution having one of its own. Our city has now an acute shortage of playgrounds.

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Building collapseIt is very frustrating to read news like collapse of a building constructed or under construction.

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TigersLegendary cricketer Imran Khan once said that successful people always know their limitations and work accordingly. They always improvise on that work to make the end results even better.

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US strategistsIt is no secret that the Neo-cons in Washington have grown restless over the Bush administration's delay in invading Iran and create an explosive situation in the Middle East owing to Teheran's insistence

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Measure of leadershipSheikh Hasina's letter touches my heart. Living in the US is rather lonely for many of us.

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No more plundering!In 1990, I was a student of Dhaka University. I was returning home (Mohammadpur) from the university one day by a university-bus. There were 60-70 students in the bus.

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Road accidentsReckless driving, narrow roads, untrained or inexperienced drivers are the main causes of road accidents. But, above all, flouting of driving rules is the prime cause of such accidents.

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Laloo's dreamThe mercurial and media friendly former chief minister of Bihar and present Indian Union Minister for Railways Mr. Laloo Prasad Yadav is once again in news.

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CommentsI have read very carefully the article by Mahfuzur Rahman (13 July). It does not tell us anything new about this issue. However, it presents a fair summary of some experts' views.

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Thank you, GeneralI read the news of an octogenarian peasant being jailed for his failure to pay back bank loans. But I could not think it the way you thought about it.

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Sk. Hasina's courageI congratulate Sk. Hasina for her courage to speak out against the government. We need politicians who have courage, not the ones sailing with the wind.

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In response...I am writing to protest against Syed M Fahim's letter titled 'Sheikh Hasina's assertion'. She is a mother and could reasonably be worried about her ailing daughter. There is nothing wrong withit.

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A mother!It was quite moving to read Sheikh Hasina's open letter written as a "mother" seeking to give company to her pregnant daughter living in the US.

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RajukAt long last, Rajuk is facing the music. Better late than never! Comparing Rajuk to anything else would be unrealistic.

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Roger FedererWorld number one Roger Federer has gloriously clinched the Wimbledon man's tennis title for the fifth consecutive time and thus shares the previous record set by the legendary Bjorn Borg! Federer outclassed

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Bad politicsFrustration in the society is mainly due to poor governance.

Mobile court makes Wasa active, smoothens supplyThe mobile court drive against pilferage of Chittagong Water and Sewerage Authority (Wasa) supplied-water and evasion of revenue raises a hope that the operation will mitigate the water crisis facingthe

Where have all the children gone?In the city where playgrounds and open spaces are rapidly vanishing, a small children's playing corner in Ramna Park is lying uncared for due to the authorities' utter negligence.

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Illegal parking chokes GulshanDespite the government's ongoing action against illegal parking, vehicles of business houses still occupy almost all the roads and lanes in Gulshan residential area regularly.

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Potholed roads left in a rutPotholed and pebble-strewn, the roads of Lalmatia present a perilous path for pedestrians and vehicle passengers alike.

Hilsa still too dear to commonersDespite a ban on exports to bring down the soaring price of hilsa, it still remains out of reach of the common people. Yesterday at Karwan Bazar kitchen market, a piece of 1kg hilsa was sold at Tk.